Mizzou hands out awards at b-ball banquet

The University of Missouri basketball team recapped their record-breaking 2008-09 basketball season on Monday evening, as the team hosted its postseason awards banquet on the floor of Mizzou Arena.

Nearly 500 supporters came out to join in the look back at the season that included a school-record 31 victories, a Big 12 Conference Tournament title and a run to the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight.

The Mizzou coaching staff handed out 15 awards on Monday, including the prestigious Most Outstanding Player Award, which was shared by senior forwards DeMarre Carroll and Leo Lyons.

Carroll was also recognized as Missouri’s Chairman of the Boards winner for leading the team with those 7.2 rebounds and was one of three players recognized for the Tiger Pride Award for leading the club in minutes played. Lyons received the team’s Free Throw Award thanks to his team-high 245 total charity tries. It was no surprise that junior guard J.T. Tiller won the club’s Defensive Award. The junior also won the Assist Award for with 138 assists and won the Tiger Hustle Award for his intensity on the basketball court.

Matt Lawrence and Zaire Taylor were also two-time winners. Taylor was honored with the Tiger Pride Award after leading Missouri in charges taken and shared the Tiger Service Award with freshman guard Kimmie English for their commitment to community service both in Columbia and on the MU campus.

Lawrence received the Iron Tiger Award for his commitment and dedication to strength training and shared Most Improved Player honors with sophomore Justin Safford.

Senior Michael Anderson, Jr., won the Tiger Coaches Award for his commitment to attaining team goals. Newcomers Keith Ramsey and Marcus Denmon rounded out the awards with Ramsey receiving the Tiger Pride Award for leading the club in blocked shots and freshman, Denmon was the team’s top free throw shooter at 79.5 percent.

For more on their successful season, click here for Mizzou basketball.